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With that in mind, a delegation from the Emirates, including then sporting director Edu and his number two Jason Ayto, flew to Marbella for a meeting with counterparts from Real Sociedad.

Nevertheless, Edu and Ayto departed Marbella with an agreement in principle for both Merino and Zubimendi.

Edu's decision to leave Arsenal in November left the formal aspects of the deal to be executed by Ayto, who would be elevated to the position of acting sporting director after the Brazilian's exit.

But this is a deal concluded by Edu and Ayto, who has also since departed the Emirates, in the sweltering heat of Spain's south coast last summer.

For Edu and Ayto, the primary aim of their deployment was to strike a deal for Sociedad midfielder Mikel Merino, who was an immediate target for Arsenal.